"I call them 'little Rybovs'." How peacocks near Minsk predict the weather

The woman lost her husband, and to dull the pain, she surrounded herself with animals. And when her son gave her three southern birds, life turned into a real adventure with evening catches of runaways, reports "Prystalichcha".

10 years ago, Nadezhda Shchamialeva moved to Kaikova. Here, she and her husband raised children and settled into life. Life was going its own way. But trouble struck: her husband passed away. To cope with the pain and distract herself from bitter thoughts, the woman started working on the land and began farming. First, chickens and rabbits appeared, then piglets. And last summer, her eldest son Artsiom gave his mother an unusual gift.

Nadezhda had long admired peacocks, Artsiom knew this and decided to fulfill his mother's dream. Together, they traveled to Dzyarzhynsk district and brought back three eight-month-old peacocks: a female named Pava and two males.

Павялічыць

Pava

— We took them when they were already grown chicks. For two weeks, they stayed in quarantine in the shed: getting used to it, adapting. During this time, we equipped an outdoor aviary for them. Then we gradually started releasing them into the fresh air. True, there were cases when they would play until dark – and then you suffer until you chase them back in, — Nadezhda recounts.

Peacocks are southern birds. The first winter season was a real test for them and their owner. In the shed, the woman made a thick, dry bedding so the birds' feet wouldn't freeze, and Artsiom built wooden perches.

Avian introverts heard by the whole village

Despite the fact that Nadezhda's peacocks have been living with her for quite some time, you can't call them tame. They haven't quite gotten used to the Shchamialevs yet.

Павялічыць

— If you raise a chick from a young age, it reaches out to people. But adult birds are aloof. As soon as I enter their territory, they start to get nervous: they fuss, "cluck" — talking among themselves. With the appearance of these tailed beauties, the silence in Kaikova ended. A peacock's cry is not a cackle; it's an alarm signal that can be heard far beyond the property.

— I call them "little Rybovs". They cry, warning of bad weather! Before a storm or rain, these wails begin. And they are never wrong. They cry for a short time, less than a minute, but the sound is so powerful that the neighbors get scared. And in spring, their mating songs begin — those sounds are even stronger…

Павялічыць

The family feeds the birds vegetables and grain (corn, barley). Per day, about 100 grams of cabbage, a couple of tomatoes, and 2-3 cucumbers are consumed. Sometimes Nadezhda gives them boiled eggs and chicken meat.

When the owner enters with food, the peacocks put on a real show: they spread their tails and dance, rhythmically moving their heads almost to the ground.

Caring for all the animals is not easy. In the morning alone, the owner spends about three hours checking on her pets and feeding them. When the children are home, she manages to finish in an hour and a half. But more often, Nadezhda works alone, early in the morning.

— Sell the peacocks — I don't even think about that. I love them very much, like all the animals. It's hard to care for them, but I deliberately seek out more workload. When my head is busy with feeding, treating, and cleaning, there's no time to dwell on bad thoughts. It saves me.

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